30-06 165gr TSX bullets for big game?

[Johndoe2150]

I found a decent deal on Federal ammo using these bullets. Are they good to go on elk? Or just deer? Please let me know.

Or would 168 gr TTSX for 2 dollars a box be better?

 

[574mag]

From all my research, the solid coppers work well as long as the speed is up. I am currently loading some 168gr Barnes gttsx in 30-06 but don’t expect it to be a long distance round. But I don’t shoot past 300 anyway. My thought is it’s a perfectly good elk round. I’m no expert, but I plan on trying it.


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[chizelhead]

I haven't used them, but I have been researching them to use in a 300 WSM for elk. All else equal based on my research, I recommend the 168. It's designed to open up about 200 fps less than the 165 and will give you a bit more range. Make sure you check ballistics and that they are going at least 1800 fps at your intended max distance. Anyone with actual experience, please chime in.

 

[Johndoe2150]

I haven't used them, but I have been researching them to use in a 300 WSM for elk. All else equal based on my research, I recommend the 168. It's designed to open up about 200 fps less than the 165 and will give you a bit more range. Make sure you check ballistics and that they are going at least 1800 fps at your intended max distance. Anyone with actual experience, please chime in.

So basically 2000 fps for the TSX and 1800 for the TTSX?

 

[2Stamp]

Use them, they will work just fine. I've killed elk with 150gr TTSX out of a 30-06.

 

[Macintosh]

Ive killed a grand total of 1 elk with a 168gr ttsx. It worked exactly as advertised, as it has worked on the deer Ive shot with it too. I was told the 168gr is designed to open at lower velocity than the 165, but I have no verification of that. Folks that know more than me have suggested minimum velocity needs to be well above 2000fps if you want the ttsx bullet to fully expand. If thats true that makes it about a 350-yard cartridge in my 18” 30-06. I would confidently use that cartridge again if I had an elk tag in my pocket. According to my data the 150gr ttsx carries the minimum velocity to almost exactly the same range, I might pick whichever one of those was more available.

 

[chizelhead]

So basically 2000 fps for the TSX and 1800 for the TTSX?

That appears to be about right according to Barnes.

“ The 0.308" 165gr TTSX is a shorter ogive than the 0.308" 168gr TTSX. We offer both for different cartridges to work within SAAMI COAL limits. The 308 168gr works well in the 308 WIN and 30-06 which allow more exposed bullet to be seated out further. The 165gr was designed for cartridges more like the 300 WIN MAG which require a shorter ogive to work within SAAMI limits.
When handloading, you can use either in a 300 WIN MAG just realize with the 168/175gr that you will need to seat it out a little further that the SAAMI max COAL and check proper fit and function in your particular firearm.
They all function to similar velocities. The 168gr and 175gr LRX will open up at a lower velocity (around 1600 ft/s) than the 165gr (around 1800 ft/s). For best performance we recommend keeping impact velocity a few hundred feet above this minimum.
Thanks
Greggory Sloan | Ballistics Lab Supervisor
Barnes Bullets, LLC”

The rule of thumb appear to be add 200 fps to the minimum. Again, this is others not my personal experience.